The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) was created in 2000 with the reauthorization of the OAA, and it provides State and Area Agencies on Aging with funds to support caregivers in five areas: information to caregivers about available services; assistance to caregivers in gaining access to supportive services; individual counseling, support groups and caregiver training; respite care to provide temporary relief for family members; and supplemental services, such as transportation and home modifications. AoA has awarded grants to states to help families maintain their caregiving roles and test new approaches to support caregivers.

In conjunction with direct services to older persons, such as homemaker and home delivered meals programs, caregiver support is an important part of community-based alternatives to nursing home placement, by encouraging and enabling family members to care for frail, elderly family members.